Giving your employer 45 days' notice before you quit, immediately gives you a leg up. Your employer will likely appreciate this because it gives them more time to prepare for the position transition. Writing a letter isn't the only way to give notice and, likewise, there is no one “right” way to write a resignation letter. However, keeping a few time-tested tips in mind helps you make a clean segue into your future.

Content

​Be sure to include the following within your letter of resignation:​

1. Compliment the company by mentioning something you've learned through your position.
2. Don't be afraid to briefly mention your achievements, especially if you feel the need to put them on record or remind your supervisor of important contributions.
3. Clearly specify your last day.
4. If you're not open to a counteroffer, make that clear.
5. If you feel the need to mention why you're leaving, focus on the positives -- taking a new job to grow as a person or expand your career, for instance. Remember you are not obligated to share the details of your new position, no matter how much notice you give your current employer.

6. Let your employer know you will work efficiently and effectively throughout your last 45 days with the company. 7. Offer to help with the transition. 8. Close by thanking the company for giving you the experience of working with them.

Tone

​Keep these tips in mind when phrasing your thoughts:​

1. Be straightforward and concise. Be friendly throughout, but maintain an air of formality and avoid sugarcoating.
2. Avoid the temptation to burn bridges. Leaving your manager and human resources staff with a high opinion of you may pay off in the future.
3. Although your notice is plentiful, your wording can still be brief.
   1. "U.S. News and World Report" Career Coach Rosemary Guzman Hook recommends limiting your letter to three or four sentences.

Delivering the Letter

Just to be on the safe side, never turn your letter in until you have formally accepted another job offer. Keep a copy of the letter for your personal records, and document the date you handed it in as well as the date of your last day of work.

​When you're ready to hand in your resignation letter, follow these steps:​

1. Print out your letter.
2. Enclose it neatly in an envelope, marked with your boss's name and a label such as “Confidential” or “Personal.”
3. Schedule a face-to-face meeting, and deliver it in person. Keep it short and simple: briefly state that you plan to leave the company in 45 days, thank the boss for her help, and mention your willingness to help ease the transition. If your boss tries to pressure you into divulging details that you'd rather keep to yourself, maintain your composure. If you encounter friction, mention that with full 45-day notice, you've given the company a generous amount of time to make a smooth transition.